The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 354: Teng Xingfu's Brilliance
Zhang Zhidong thought for a moment and continued, "Moreover, Hongming, have you noticed that the opinions of the great powers on Teng Xingfu are now divided?"

"Although the Germans and Americans, including the British and French, wanted to kill Teng Xingfu in one fell swoop, they all praised Teng Xingfu for his treatment of their wounded soldiers. The Germans even said that Teng Xingfu was the most civilized general among the Chinese generals."

"But the Japanese and Russians were just the opposite. They hated Teng Xingfu to the core. One could even say that they wanted to eat his flesh and crush his bones."

Gu Hongming came today just to sound out Zhang Zhidong's attitude. He was very concerned about Zhang Zhidong's independence, or his participation in the Southeast Mutual Protection Alliance. The reputation of a founding minister was still very tempting to him.

However, since Zhang Zhidong had made up his mind not to consider this matter anymore, Gu Hongming could only completely put this idea aside.

After figuring this out, Gu Hongming stopped worrying about it and nodded.

"I have heard about this. It seems that the vanguard army rarely captured prisoners of the Russians and Japanese on the battlefield, especially the Japanese, who were often killed on the battlefield."

"Teng Xingfu's explanation was that the Japanese and Russians fought so tenaciously that it was difficult for the vanguard troops to capture their prisoners."

When Gu Hongming said this, he couldn't help laughing.

"For this argument, the Japanese and Russians can only swallow their anger. They can't say that Teng Xingfu is talking nonsense and that their soldiers are not tenacious and will surrender!"

Gu Hongming's words made Zhang Zhidong burst into laughter.

Zhang Zhidong suppressed his laughter and said, "It seems that Japan and Russia, the two evil men of the Qing Dynasty, have suffered a lot at the hands of Teng Xingfu. They really need an evil man like Teng Xingfu to deal with them!"

Gu Hongming nodded and said, "Therefore, the Japanese and Russians cannot use this matter to make a fuss, and can only suffer in silence."

Gu Hongming sighed slightly and said, "In my opinion, this is related to Teng Xingfu's hatred for the humiliation of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the cession of Taiwan and Ryukyu by the Japanese, and the repeated occupation of Qing territory by the Russians."

Zhang Zhidong nodded and said, "You are right. I think so too. The loss of territory and the huge amount of money paid in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 are indeed a painful experience for our generation."

"But I think you are only half right."

"Zhang Zhidong said confidently, "The other half is that Teng Xingfu is also leaving room for the European and American powers at the same time. To a certain extent, he is even showing goodwill to the European and American powers."

"To show goodwill to the European and American powers! Didn't he just kill more than 10,000 British and American soldiers in the capital?"

Zhang Zhidong's words made Gu Hongming feel a little confused.

Zhang Zhidong did not respond to Gu Hongming's words, but continued speaking along the same line of thought.

"Teng Xingfu's intention is nothing more than to make the great powers feel the pain while dividing and disintegrating the alliance of the great powers, so that he can get help from these European and American powers in future peace talks, or even when he falls out with Japan and Russia in the future. This shows the wisdom of Teng Xingfu."

Zhang Zhidong stood up and walked to the couplet hanging in the pavilion, and spoke while looking at it.

"As for the fact that Teng Xingfu's title of Governor of Zhili is missing the title of Minister of Beiyang, in my opinion, it is not because the Queen Mother is unwilling to give it to him, but because she is worried that if Teng Xingfu makes further achievements in the future, the court will no longer be able to reward him with a higher position."

Zhang Zhidong then said with emotion, "Teng Xingfu has won victory after victory, even against the coalition forces of the world's major powers, and has never been defeated. Not only has the court not been completely defeated, but it has also been able to continue to fight against the foreigners. Based on this achievement alone, do you think Teng Xingfu deserves the title of the pillar of the country?"

"I also heard that when Teng Xingfu first started his army, he only had one battalion of soldiers he trained himself. After that, the tens of thousands of people, except for a small number of remnants of Nie Gongting's army, most of them were former Green Camp soldiers, trained warriors, and the Boxers who had dispersed and were recruited by him."

"Whether it was the Green Camp, the Lianyong, or the Boxers, they all faced the coalition forces of the great powers and were defeated by the foreigners. Many of them even collapsed at the first blow."

"But when these people came into Teng Xingfu's hands, they quickly became a group of elite soldiers and brave generals, and they were even able to defeat all the powerful countries and make them look humiliated."

"Based on this ability to turn decay into magic, we have to say that Teng Xingfu has the ability to command people and troops."

Zhang Zhidong sighed and continued, "Teng Xingfu started as a minor official before he turned thirty. Once he took advantage of the situation, he was able to command tens of thousands of troops in just a few months. If he was not a genius, how could he have achieved such success!"

"This boy is truly worthy of the title of the pillar of the country."

Zhang Zhidong seemed to be asking and answering his own questions, and did not want Gu Hongming to give any affirmation. Without waiting for Gu Hongming to answer, he continued leisurely.

"The court only gave Teng Xingfu the title of governor-general, and then they let go of the supply of food, wages, weapons and ammunition for Teng Xingfu's vanguard army. All of these depended on him to raise them in Zhili Province. Do you think it is a blessing for the court to have such a minister?" "I can't think of any of the so-called frontier officials, including me, who can do this?"

"Not to mention that the governors of Shandong and Anhui, such as Yuan Shikai and Wang Zhichun, could not do it, even Liu Kunyi, Li Shaoquan and I, who lived in fertile and prosperous areas and held the military and political power of two provinces, could not do it either."

Zhang Zhidong let out a long breath, as if he wanted to let out all the resentment in his heart.

"Tell me more, can such an official be called a role model for officials all over the world?"

Zhang Zhidong has always been arrogant and never willing to lag behind others. Take the promotion of Westernization for example. Over the years, Zhang Zhidong has been competing with Li Hongzhang, Minister of Beiyang and Governor-General of Zhili. Not only did he build the Hanyang Gun Factory, but he also opened the Hanyang Iron Factory.

Even when Li Hongzhang was building railways in Zhili, Zhang Zhidong strongly supervised the construction of the Lu-Han Railway. Now the northern section of the Lu-Han Railway has been built from Lugou Bridge to the south of Baoding.

Today is the first time since Gu Hongming entered the political arena that I have heard Zhang Zhidong admire someone so much.

However, Gu Hongming was still somewhat unconvinced and argued.

"Although what Xiang Shuai said makes sense, it is not entirely true in the students' opinion."

Gu Hongming's words made Zhang Zhidong, who was still immersed in deep admiration for Teng Yuzhao, a little surprised!

However, Zhang Zhidong quickly waved his hand and said, "Hongming, you can go ahead and say whatever you want."

Gu Hongming sighed and said, "It is said that the vanguard army now has nearly 100,000 people. Not to mention that Zhili was not a prosperous place to begin with, most of Zhili has been caught in the war and is mostly occupied by foreigners."

"Even big cities like Tianjin and the capital have fallen into the hands of the enemy. How can Teng Xingfu collect much tax to support his army? He can barely get some food to keep his 100,000 troops from starving, which is already good enough."

"Especially, I heard that the military pay given by Teng Xingfu is several times that of the Green Camp. Such a high military pay may be tens of millions a year. How can he afford it?"

"If it weren't for the fundraising support from the Vanguard Army Support Associations in various places, as well as donations from gentry like Ning Xingpu, Teng Xingfu would have been unable to continue. In the final analysis, Teng Xingfu still has to rely on secret funding from various provinces."

Zhang Zhidong didn't know how to say much about Gu Hongming's vision. After all, he was just a scholar. He could only smile bitterly.

"Hongming, this is wrong!"

"Let's not talk about Ning Xingpu being from Zhili. Donations from support groups in various places mostly come from ordinary people. The amount they donate is very limited. Shanghai and Guangzhou are probably better, but here..."

Zhang Zhidong shook his head and said, "As for the gentry, you should also know that even asking them to contribute a little money to help the victims is like cutting off their flesh. How many people would be willing to contribute a large sum of money to help Teng Xingfu fight the enemy thousands of miles away?"

"Teng Xingfu, the trading company he opened in Wuchang and the business he opened in Shanghai with Zhou Fu's son are all aimed at providing long-term support for the vanguard army's military pay. This further demonstrates that Teng Xingfu has the ability to plan ahead."

Just when Zhang Zhidong was about to continue speaking, a Goshaha came running over and Zhang Zhidong had to stop.

"Sir, I just received an urgent document sent by express horse from Taiyuan, Shanxi."

Urgent official document from Taiyuan, Shanxi!
Zhang Zhidong was surprised by Goshaha's words.

Wuchang and Taiyuan were in contact through telegrams forwarded through Baoding. This included the court's official bulletins and the emperor's edict praising Teng Yuzao, all of which were delivered via telegrams, which was fast and convenient.

This time, Taiyuan actually sent someone to deliver urgent official documents by express horse. Why?

As Gosha said this, he handed a brocade bag sealed with wax to Zhang Zhidong and stepped back.

Zhang Zhidong took the brocade bag and felt it was light and there seemed to be only a letter inside. He hurriedly opened the bag and found that there was indeed only a letter inside. Not only was the opening of the envelope sealed with wax, but the familiar handwriting with slightly soft strokes came into view.

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(End of this chapter)